Changes to Portland restaurant inspection program temporary, city says

Michele Sturgeon, Portland's food service industry health inspector, talks to Anthony Salvaggio, owner of The Maine Squeeze lemonade stand, on the Eastern Promenade in August during the Gentleman of the Road festival.

PORTLAND, Maine — The city’s restaurant inspection program will see temporary changes due to an impending medical leave by a city employee, according to city officials.

Michele Sturgeon, Portland’s health inspector, is scheduled to start medical leave on Monday, according to city spokeswoman Nicole Clegg. The Maine Center for Disease Control’s Health Inspection Program will handle restaurant inspections in Portland while Sturgeon is on leave. Sturgeon is expected to return to her normal duties after the medical leave, contrary to a post Thursday by Munjoy Hill News, a well-known blog about Portland that is operated independently but hosted by bangordailynews.com.

“Michele Sturgeon is still the public health inspector,” said Clegg. “We have coordinated with the state so they can provide services in her absence.”

Sturgeon has been a visible public employee in recent months as her inspections have resulted in reprimands and shut-downs of some Portland eateries.